Karstetter scores five TDs in Saxons’ victory

Scoring summary

One day after getting a little help, the Ferris Saxons helped themselves to an easy win over North Central on Friday night.

With running back Cole Karstetter scoring four touchdowns in the first half alone, the Saxons defeated the Indians 50-14 at Albi Stadium to forge a four-way tie at 4-1 atop the Greater Spokane League football standings.

“It’s really nice to be in first place again, to be in control of our own destiny,” said Karstetter. “As long as we keep doing what we’re supposed to be doing and keeping the momentum up, we’ll be just fine.”

The front-running pack will shrink next week, when Ferris (4-1) meets co-leader Mt. Spokane, which lost its first game on Thursday to Shadle Park (4-1).

North Central (1-4) will take on the co-leader, Gonzaga Prep, on Thursday.

Against NC, the Saxons were the picture of efficiency in the first half, racking up 346 total yards on 35 plays, an average of 9.9 yards per play. The biggest ones belonged to Karstetter, who in the first quarter ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries.

“That doesn’t happen without my line guys,” said Karstetter, who finished with 17 carries for 231 yards, four rushing touchdowns and five overall. “I was running free and not getting touched much, so I’ve got to give it to my line guys.”

Ferris got on the board first with the only first-half TD that didn’t go to Karstetter, a 10-yard pass from Christian Olson to Tim Kirby to put Ferris ahead 6-0.

NC countered with its best drive of the night, 77 yards, highlighted by Quinn Zerba’s 37-yard pass to James Weigel. Two plays later, the Indians led 7-6 on Zerba’s 10-yard dart to Zerba.

Ferris regained the lead for good four plays later. After Josh Taylor returned a squib kick 35 yards to the NC 30, Ferris scored on a 3-yard run by Karstetter.

While NC was held to just 16 yards of total offense in the first half after its opening drive, the Saxons moved into high gear. A seven-play Ferris drive ended with another Karstetter touchdown, a 21-yard run that made it 20-7.

Karstetter scored two more TDs in the second quarter, including a 2-yard run and a 12-yard touchdown from Olson, who finished 7 of 10 for 127 yards and two TDs.

Ferris didn’t let up in the third quarter, getting a 68-yard TD run from Jalen Hicks and a 60-yard score from Karstetter.